SMITHVILLE, GA, USA
N3649B
AIR TRACTOR AT-301
THE PILOT HAD STARTED HIS THIRD SWATH RUN WHEN THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER FAILED. OIL WAS SPRAYED ON THE WINDSHIELD AND PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM HAVING FORWARD VISION. THE PILOT SELECTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA AND ESTABLISHED AN APPROACH. BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED FORWARD VISIBILITY, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN PAST THE INTENDED TOUCH DOWN POINT, AND ROLLED INTO A STAND OF TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE CONFIRMED THAT THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER HEAD HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHO RECOVERED THE AIRPLANE, THE CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS TYPICAL OF MOST HEAD FAILURES HE HAD SEEN ON OTHER R-1340 ENGINES.
On July 2, 1994, at 0805 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-301, N3649B, overshot an emergency landing area following a complete loss of engine power near Smithville, Georgia. The aerial application flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight departed Smithville, at 0745 hours. According to the pilot, he had started the third swath run when the engine lost power. The pilot selected a field for the forced landing, but his forward vision was hampered by engine oil on the windshield from the number two cylinder. The airplane touched down about ninety yards from a tree line. As the aircraft collided with the trees, both wings were torn from the airplane. According to the mechanic who recovered the airplane, the crack in the number two cylinder head was typical of cracks he had seen in other failed R-1340 heads. The pilot stated that the engine was 1197 hours since the last engine overhaul; the recommended time between overhauls (TBO) for this engine is 1000 hours. According to 14 CFR Part 137. 17d, Part 137 operators are not required to comply with TBO recommendations.
THE FAILURE OF # 2 CYLINDER HEAD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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